Irish Wheelchair Association is calling on councillors and local authorities, including in Louth, to focus on access barriers in local communities as part of its annual campaign, Access It’s No Joke.
Research from the organisation shows that 81% of local authorities, including Louth County Council, do not have a dedicated Access Officer to improve access to public services. The group is now appealing to councils to appoint an Access and Inclusion Officer to help address these issues.
The Access It’s No Joke campaign uses humour to highlight the everyday barriers faced by people with disabilities. It began with a series of online videos featuring comedians Anna Clifford, David McSavage and Owen Colgan, focusing on challenges around access to public pathways, transport, parks, parking and shops.
The campaign has since grown online, with people with disabilities sharing their own experiences.
Connie Richardson, a wheelchair user who features in the campaign, spoke about the difficulties she faces using public transport.
“By the time I get to the bus stop, I’ve already overcome so many obstacles,” she said. “If the one wheelchair spot is taken, or the ramp is broken, I may miss my appointments, but I try to remain positive or leave the house really early to allow for these situations”.
Rosaleen Lally, National Access Programme Manager with Irish Wheelchair Association, said, “Access, It’s No Joke has been so popular with people reaching out to us online and sharing videos of their daily frustrations and anger about trying to access everyday local amenities. So, this year, we are contacting county councils to find a solution to some of these access barriers.”
According to Irish Wheelchair Association’s research, 25 Local Authorities in Ireland do not have a dedicated, resourced Access Officer to work full-time on access to public services in the county. IWA’s research across Ireland’s 31 local authorities found:
- 81% of local authorities (25 local authorities) do not have a dedicated Access Officer for their community.
- Only 19% of local authorities (6 local authorities) have a dedicated Access Officer in their county council.
- Only 3 counties (6 local authorities) in Ireland have a dedicated Access Officer in their county councils- Dublin, Westmeath and Wexford.
Now Irish Wheelchair Association is appealing to 25 county councils including Louth to appoint a dedicated Access & Inclusion Officer to enhance access for people with disabilities. The organisation is asking local councillors to pass a motion requesting funding for a full-time position in every local authority, with a dedicated budget which is a commitment in the Disability Act and listed as a priority in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People for 2026.
Under Section 6 of the Disability Act 2005, all public bodies, including local authorities must appoint an Access Officer to support people with disabilities to access public services. According to Irish Wheelchair Association this is happening ‘in theory’ but not in reality. “People with disabilities need better access to public transport, healthcare, housing and amenities like parks and pools,” continued Rosaleen Lally. “Local authorities have been mandated by the 2025 Disability Act to take action. But the bare minimum isn’t good enough.”
“We know that many local authorities have ‘Access Officers’ but often these are simply additional job titles that are given to existing busy staff. We know that our local authorities have dedicated hardworking staff, but they cannot break down access barriers without time, budget or experience,” she added.
This month Irish Wheelchair Association contacted local councillors in 25 local authorities, asking them to support its campaign by passing resolution for Access & Inclusion Officers at their next available council meeting. The resolution is from county council officials to Minister Browne, requesting provisions to enable all local authorities to appoint a dedicated, resourced Access & Inclusion Officer. “Hardworking, well-intentioned people cannot work in a broken system.
Local authorities need Access & Inclusion Officers with a budget and a mandate to improve access across public services, from public transport to housing to recreational amenities for people with disabilities and mobility issues. Ticking a box is not enough for county councils, and our communities deserve better. We are appealing to local councillors to look at our motion and pass the Access & Inclusion Officer.
Resolution at the next available council meeting. People with disabilities don’t just need support, they need solutions and action,” said Rosaleen Lally, National Access Programme Manager with Irish Wheelchair Association.
